About
I practice in Work Health & Safety, coronial inquests, employment and government inquiries including Royal Commissions in the Melbourne and Canberra offices of Maddocks.
I assist clients in the public sector and in health, aged care, construction, retail, education and NFP sectors with all aspects of safety from compliance to serious injuries and fatalities including:
• Incident response
• Safety Investigations
• Safety Prosecutions (in Prosecution and Defence)
• Coronial inquests
• Bullying and Workplace investigations
• Safety compliance advice
• Training
• Policy Review
• Employment Privacy
• Royal Commissions and Inquiries
• Ill and Injured Workers
• Integrity and Ombudsman investigations
I have extensive experience over 20 years in providing incident response advice for hundreds of workplace incident and fatalities (including multiple fatalities) and offer a 24-7 service to assist clients in the aftermath of incidents. I have successfully negotiated enforceable undertakings for clients in lieu of prosecutions and has defended clients in prosecution hearings and appeals. I have particular experience in helping clients with complex bullying and harassment claims and workplace investigations
I have been peer reviewed as one of Australia's Best Lawyers in Safety in the Australian Financial Review/Best Lawyers since 2013 & was selected as the Lawyer of the Year in Melbourne in Safety for 2017. I was recognised in Chambers Asia-Pacific, commended in employment and noted as a Leading Lawyer in Doyles, and in Legal 500 with clients commenting of our safety practice that we field ‘a practical, responsive and genuinely specialised practice, which is easy to work with and provides good common sense advice’ and that I have ‘fantastic experience in WHS law and provides measured and practical direction in matters. She has excellent instincts, and is a pleasure to work with’.
I have acted in many significant coronial inquests and Royal Commissions in Victoria, Canberra and Sydney with particular expertise in complex hearings, often involving multiple fatalities and difficult issues of public and work safety. I acted for the Country Fire Authority in the Black Saturday Victorian Bushfire Royal Commission and the Commonwealth of Australia in the Banking Royal Commission.
I particularly enjoy working with my long-standing and newer clients alike on pro-active problem solving, listening to them and working with as a team with in-house lawyers on solutions and strategies.
Articles by Catherine
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What were the issues in employment law in 2016?
What were the issues in employment law in 2016?
By Catherine Dunlop
Activity
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Some of my best memories of the part of my life that is “planning lawyer” are from the VPELA conference. So many good friends and so much fun. And…
Some of my best memories of the part of my life that is “planning lawyer” are from the VPELA conference. So many good friends and so much fun. And…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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Congratulations Louise Glanville and Natalie Wade - two incredible legal people taking on absolutely vital roles in national disability reform.
Congratulations Louise Glanville and Natalie Wade - two incredible legal people taking on absolutely vital roles in national disability reform.
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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We won Capstone and finished our MBA!!! I'm relieved to share that I’ve finally finished my last MBA subject. This journey has been one of the…
We won Capstone and finished our MBA!!! I'm relieved to share that I’ve finally finished my last MBA subject. This journey has been one of the…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
Experience
Education
Publications
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From OH&S to WH&S - what will it mean for Councils?
Council Manager
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Shifting risk and responsiblities: The Balancing Exercise A legal view of the Stay and Defend or Leave Early Policy
Bushfire Cooperative Research Centre
A joint workshop between the Bushfire CRC and Maddocks Lawyers held just prior to the 2006 Bushfire CRC Annual Conference.
Other authors -
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Legal Issues in Emergency Managment: Lessons From The Last Decade
Australian Journal of Emergency Management
This paper was delivered at the Safer Sustainable Communities Australian Disaster Conference in September 2003. It addresses the significant changes and understanding about the law that applies to emergency management during the last ten years.
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Volunteers in the 2000s: Volunteer Liability in the Emergency Services
Australian Journal of Volunteering
A paper summarising liablity issues for volunteers, case law and legislative protections.
Honors & Awards
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Leading Individual – Labour & Employment: WHS
The Legal 500 (Legalease) Asia Pacific 2024 Guide
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Best Lawyers Peer Review - 2017 Lawyer of the Year for Melbourne in Occupational Health and Safety
Australian Financial Review
Best Lawyers in Australia and Lawyer of the Year Melbourne - Occupational Health and Safety
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Asia-Pacific Legal 500
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'outstanding practitioner'
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Asia-Pacific Legal 500
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recognised for 'not just providing legal advice but understanding how that advice relates in a commercial environment'
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Life Member
Debaters Association of Victoria
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Life Member
Monash Association of Debaters
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Life Member
Australasian Intervarsity Debating Association
Recommendations received
1 person has recommended Catherine
Join now to viewMore activity by Catherine
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Completed law school ✅ Completed PLT ✅ Ready to apply for admission ✅ But wait, no mover... I read an incredible post on LinkedIn some time ago…
Completed law school ✅ Completed PLT ✅ Ready to apply for admission ✅ But wait, no mover... I read an incredible post on LinkedIn some time ago…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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As Victoria continues to address concerns about youth justice, programs like OzChild’s Multisystemic Therapy (MST) are proving to be crucial in…
As Victoria continues to address concerns about youth justice, programs like OzChild’s Multisystemic Therapy (MST) are proving to be crucial in…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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I am so proud of Evidence for Learning and its contribution to Australia's learning systems. Read all it about it in the article. With thanks to SVA…
I am so proud of Evidence for Learning and its contribution to Australia's learning systems. Read all it about it in the article. With thanks to SVA…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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At yesterday’s Planning Institute of Australia’s 2024 Kemsley Oration event in Melbourne, Partner Maria Marshall had the pleasure of introducing this…
At yesterday’s Planning Institute of Australia’s 2024 Kemsley Oration event in Melbourne, Partner Maria Marshall had the pleasure of introducing this…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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This is another important step towards gender equality – good for families, good for business and good for our economy.
This is another important step towards gender equality – good for families, good for business and good for our economy.
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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I finished up at Maddocks yesterday, after more than a decade. It is an understatement to say it was hard to leave, but I am excited about starting…
I finished up at Maddocks yesterday, after more than a decade. It is an understatement to say it was hard to leave, but I am excited about starting…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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As of last night, for the first time in 15 years, I am officially unemployed. Privilege, is not feeling a sense of panic about it… but appreciating…
As of last night, for the first time in 15 years, I am officially unemployed. Privilege, is not feeling a sense of panic about it… but appreciating…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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ESF is delighted to have Irina Tchernitskaia, Manager, Psychological Services (Psychologist) at Fire Rescue Victoria join our Mental Health Advisory…
ESF is delighted to have Irina Tchernitskaia, Manager, Psychological Services (Psychologist) at Fire Rescue Victoria join our Mental Health Advisory…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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The #GlassCliff phenomenon, is it a thing? My colleague Gillian Harris will present her research next week in Sydney - details below to join.
The #GlassCliff phenomenon, is it a thing? My colleague Gillian Harris will present her research next week in Sydney - details below to join.
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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📢 Get ready: MAV’s Annual Conference is just around the corner 📢 I’m passionate about our organisation providing a unique conference experience…
📢 Get ready: MAV’s Annual Conference is just around the corner 📢 I’m passionate about our organisation providing a unique conference experience…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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I've been selected to participate in the Social Impact Fellowship! This transformative program helps individuals to explore their purpose and…
I've been selected to participate in the Social Impact Fellowship! This transformative program helps individuals to explore their purpose and…
Liked by Catherine Dunlop
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